Mick has just posted this here.
MONDAY 14TH APRIL 2014
STIRCHLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH
HAZELWELL STREET, STIRCHLEY B30 2JX
STARTING AT 7.30PM
SPECIAL GUESTS
RYAN HOLLINGS FROM HEALTH EXCHANGE
TOM HOLNESS FROM BIKE RIGHT
PLUS YOU’RE LOCAL COUNCILLORS
COME & GET UP TO DATE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN STIRCHLEY
(HELP TO SHAPE A BETTER STIRCHLEY)
Many of the groups which will use the baths when the work is done have been using the nearby community centre for a many years. Stirchley Happenings want to record the groups of Stirchley community centre in photography... they tell us
In something of a mad dash before the centre is lost to the developers, the idea of a photography project has come to our minds. We’d like to open the opportunity up to photographers of all abilities to come and take photos of the centre and the groups that use it. There’s huge potential here for photographers to hone their skills documenting the activities of a really diverse range of groups, and to give those groups a reminder of the time they spent using the centre.
If you would like to get involved, but don’t have the equipment, the new Baths project has a load of kit that is available for documenting the redevelopment of the community centre. They’re running a Social Media Surgery on Tuesday 4th February where you can come and talk to them about the varied ways of getting involved in the Baths project, but also how to become more involved, digitally, in the community as a whole. Places must be booked in advance though.
Wonderful idea Stirchley. Get stuck in!
Peter Walker is the chairman of Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum, a community group run by and for local people. Membership is open to anyone who lives or runs a business in Stirchley. The Forum provides an opportunity for local people to discuss and influence the issues that affect the village.
Here, Peter explains why the Heritage Lottery decision on transforming Stirchley Baths into a community centre just has to be a yes…
I can’t wait for the result of our funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. It has to happen, doesn’t it?
Stirchley Baths has been closed for over 22 years now and I fear that it will be lost forever should this project not go ahead.
There are so many community groups in Stirchley, all waiting to move into the community centre that Stirchley residents deserve for all that they do for the village.
Somewhere modern, clean and safe where young mums and dads can take their children and meet others, where teenagers can meet their friends and pursue their needs in a safe environment and where the older residents can meet with their friends.
Stirchley is a strong community – let’s keep it that way.
There’s lots more information on Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum HERE.
The decision from HLF is expected very soon. Please tell us why it *has* to be a ‘yes’ by:
Rob Gilbert is the committee chair of Stirchley Stores, the co-operative on Pershore Road that supplies ethical, affordable and local food. Stirchley Stores wants to move into the Stirchley Baths community hub. Here, Rob explains why the Heritage Lottery decision due very soon has to be a ‘yes’ for Stirchley…
“The Stirchley Baths community hub is the ideal place for Stirchley Stores. Sustainability and community are at the heart of Stirchley Stores, helping people contribute to the rejuvenation of their High Street. These values are what the community hub project is all about too.
We need a new premises because Loaf – our neighbour in Pershore Road – is looking to expand. We currently use the premises rent-free in exchange for selling their bread and the consensus among our members is that Stirchley Baths is the ideal location for us. It’s a good-value plan and will help us to be even more connected to the local community.
We’re growing too. We’re mostly run by volunteers, although we pay a volunteer co-ordinator and we’re about to take on our first paid worker in the shop too. Moving into the community hub will help us to take Stirchley Stores to the next stage.
The Stirchley Baths community hub will be a real focal point for the whole Stirchley community, enabling more people to connect and get things done for the good of the village. There will be a cafe in there, a cinema, meeting rooms, events – it will be a huge boost for the whole village and we’re really keen to be a part of it.”
The decision from HLF is expected very soon. Please tell us why it *has* to be a ‘yes’ by:
Mick Jones runs the excellent stirchley.co.uk website for the village. Here’s why Mick thinks the Heritage Lottery Fund decision for Stirchley Baths – due imminently – has to be a yes…
“Stirchley Baths is a beautiful building which has shamed Stirchley for over 20 years through neglect. Regeneration, however, means a focal point so necessary for the wellbeing of a village, somewhere to go with children, adults and the vulnerable.
I hope there will be dances, not necessarily discos but the sort of dances that families can attend, barn dancing where one can go without a partner. There will be rooms for discussion groups, clubs and meetings.
Throughout the country there are beautiful village halls that are economical to hire, meaning the community can put on a play, a dance or a party, for the community.
We in Stirchley need this facility in what is, after all, a heritage building, married to the library and next to a small park. Could anyone ask for a better location?”
The decision from HLF is expected very soon. Please tell us why it *has* to be a ‘yes’ by: